They are a band who want to write the perfect pop song but by employing abstract sound textures taken deep into leftfield.

Their dusty electronica is fastidiously constructed and possesses an antique veneer yet it sounds forward-looking and effortless.

New album Tender Buttons finally sees these warring internal forces reach a state of harmony and much of it could feasibly appeal to readers of Wire, as well as Radio 2 listeners.

They remain as inscrutable as ever, though - no other band would release America's Boy, an equivocal track about US foreign policy inspired by a tabloid crossword, as a lead single.

Vocalist Trish Keenan, a raven-haired Nico, was as bewitching a presence on stage as she is on record.

Sporting one of the great bobs of the modern age, her deadpan delivery was perfect for these twisted nursery rhymes.

She and studio partner James Cargill (bass) chose to beef up the album's programmed beats with some clattering drums and an additional keyboardist/guitarist.

Tears In The Typing Pool came across like a lyrical Carpenters, Black Cat was the sweetest song you'll ever hear about mental illness and Pendulum was a wonderul take on Neu!cs pulsing motorik.

Problems with sound levels, especially when Keenan's voice became somewhat lost in the mix, caused a slight mid-set lull but they quickly recovered.

The margins can often be the refuge of the pseud, the gratuitously indulgent and the misguided. But we should be glad Broadcast are still to be found there.